Control Hazards in the Workplace

As an employer, you need a simple process to control the hazards in your workplace so you can fix them, remove them, or warn people about the risks.

Once hazards are identified, the next step is to put practical measures in place to reduce the chance of injury or illness. When workers help choose and develop these controls, they’re more likely to understand them, use them, and follow them.

Controlling hazards supports a safer workplace by helping you:

• Reduce the risk of injuries and illness
• Apply consistent safety practices
• Prioritize the most serious hazards first
• Strengthen your overall safety culture
• Keep workers on the job

Assessing hazards

When several hazards are present, it helps to identify which ones need to be addressed first. A simple way to do this is to think about the potential consequences of coming into contact with the hazard.

Ask yourself:

• Could it cause minor or moderate injuries?
• Could it lead to serious injury or long-term health problems?
• Could it cause a fatality?

Group hazards by severity:

• Major harm—risk of fatality or serious injury
• Moderate harm—reversible health impacts, medical treatment, some time loss
• Minor harm—first aid, little or no time loss
• No harm (negligible risk)—hazards that have little or no chance of causing injury under normal conditions

Hazards that could cause major harm should be controlled first, followed by those that could cause moderate, minor, or no harm. This process is sometimes called hazard assessment. It helps you address hazards in a logical, controlled way.

Hierarchy of hazard control

There are several ways to control hazards. These methods are ranked from most effective to least effective. Whenever possible, work through them in order.

1. Elimination

Remove the hazard entirely

Examples include removing debris on floors, disposing of unnecessary chemicals, or redesigning a task so the hazard no longer exists.

2. Substitution

Replace something hazardous with something safer

Examples include using a less toxic chemical, choosing smaller containers to reduce manual handling strain, or using scaffolding instead of ladders.

3. Engineering controls

Use physical measures to separate people from hazards

Examples include:

• Guards on moving machinery
• Sound barriers to reduce noise
• Fume cabinets for chemicals
• Enclosed booths for spraying tasks
• Mechanical lifting devices

4. Administrative controls

Change the way work is organized to reduce exposure

Examples include:

• Safe work procedures
• Worker training and supervision
• Job rotation or schedule changes
• Signs and warning labels
• Work-permit systems—written authorizations for certain high-risk tasks, confirming hazards are identified and controls are in place before work begins.

5. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE is the least effective control and should be used:

• Only after other controls are in place
• Temporarily while better controls are planned

Examples include gloves, eye and hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, hard hats, and fall-arrest harnesses.

When using PPE, ensure it fits properly, is comfortable to wear, is maintained in good condition, and workers are trained to use it correctly.

Be careful of residual hazards

No matter which control you choose, always check that it does not create a new type of hazard.

For example:

• A ventilation system that improves air quality may create high noise levels
• Poorly fitted safety footwear may contribute to slips or trips
• A guard on a machine may limit visibility if not positioned correctly

Regularly review hazard controls to ensure they remain effective and do not introduce new risks.

Create a workplace safety program

Identifying and controlling hazards is an important part of a complete safety program.

Learn how to create a comprehensive workplace safety program.